RPCV Governor Jim Doyle noted that since launching his "Grow Wisconsin" initiative last September, the state has contributed nearly $20 million to 18 major economic development projects, creating almost 1,500 jobs, retaining 6,500 jobs, and training nearly 700 worker

Up close and personal... Governor Doyle, Cabinet visit region to listen and learn

Governor Jim Doyle was in town, along with members of his Cabinet, to listen and learn from business folks and community leaders. Photo by Barbara Lyon/Dunn County News By Barbara Lyon, News Editor

"We're back on track, but we're not out of the woods."

That's what Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle told a gathering of business people and community leaders Monday morning during a breakfast meeting at Best Western's new conference center.

He noted that since launching his "Grow Wisconsin" initiative last September, the state has contributed nearly $20 million to 18 major economic development projects, creating almost 1,500 jobs, retaining 6,500 jobs, and training nearly 700 workers.

"It wasn't another study; it was a call to action that's beginning to pay off," Doyle declared. "In the past 12 months, we have created more jobs than Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio or Illinois. Wisconsin is leading the Midwest in job creation. Clearly our strategy on focusing on upgrading our industries and competing at the high end is having an impact."

Nine cabinet members joined the governor in Menomonie to kick off a three-day tour of northwest Wisconsin.

"Every couple of months or so," Doyle explained, "we spend two to three days in an area with members of the cabinet. It gives us the chance to meet one-on-one with people in smaller groups to find out what they're doing, what their concerns are, and to build partnerships and friendships."

After visiting Menomonie, the governor went on to dedicate West Wisconsin Land Trust's purchase of Maiden Rock, a Mississippi River bluff overlooking Lake Pepin. A grant from the state's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund made the purchase of the 250-acre property possible.

The remainder of the tour included visits to the Pierce County Courthouse and to Sajan, Inc., to announce an economic development project for the River Falls company. The swing through western Wisconsin included stops at Goldstar Cooperative in New Richmond, the Clear Lake Historical Museum in Clear Lake, the Polk County Justice Center in Balsam Lake, Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, Four Seasons Wood Products in Frederic, the Burnett County Government Center in Siren, and the St. Croix Tribal Headquarters, Hertel.

Over breakfast in Menomonie, Doyle remarked on the politics of division.

"There are a lot of people in politics these days who would choose to seize on the issues that divide us, to have us pointing fingers and squabbling with each other," he said. "That is not the way to move forward in this state. The way to move forward is to make sure we're focused on the things we agree on.

"Clearly one of those is economic growth," the governor stated. "Another is an educational system that provides opportunities for everybody in Wisconsin. We need to make health care more affordable and accessible. And protecting our natural resources is critical. These are values we all share."

Doyle pointed out that the Chippewa Valley and surrounding area has advantages envied by and unheard of elsewhere in the state.

"This is such a vital part of Wisconsin and increasingly significant part of the state's future. You have three university campuses within 50 miles of each other, tremendous technical colleges, great schools, great communities, beautiful natural surroundings, a high quality workforce and proximity to an international economic center in the Twin Cities," he observed.

"These are the things we have to get and sell -- hard," Doyle concluded. "More and more, people are looking for good places to do business, based on the quality of life and the quality of the workforce. Maybe it does get a little cold here. And we don't have ocean breezes and palm trees. But what we do have are the best, hardest-working, most committed people you'll find anywhere in the world."

When this story was prepared, this was the front page of PCOL magazine:

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Story Source: Dunn Cojnty News

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Tunisia; Politics; Business

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